Monsoon onset: Delhiites suffer sunny days; residents of Maharashtra, Odisha experience rainfall

Residents of the national capital seem to have no respite from sunny days as they witnessed a humid Saturday morning with the minimum temperature settling at 29.2 degrees Celsius, a notch above normal for this time of the year. According to the MeT department, the humidity level recorded at 8.30 am was 72 per cent. An official was quoted by PTI as saying, "The skies may turn partly cloudy towards the evening and the maximum temperature is expected to settle at 40 degrees Celsius." 

Even as Delhi on Friday recorded the maximum temperature at 38.8 degrees Celsius, and minimum temperature at 25.4 degree Celsius, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rains in most parts of Maharashtra.

In Maharashtra, there would be widespread rainfall activity on Saturday, Sunday and Monday in Konkan, Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada, with slight variations in the intensity, but would see good spells of showers. 

The department reportedly said that Vidarbha region would get scattered rainfall in some pockets over the next four days, as the south-west monsoon reached parts of south Konkan, Goa and South-Madhya Maharashtra on Thursday. 

On Friday, the Maharashtra government issued an advisory about increased activity in the Arabian sea, saying "There will be thunderstorms followed by heavy spells of rain over Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada...Farmers are advised not to rush with sowing if there isn't enough moisture." 

On the other hand, Odisha coast was finally hit by Southwest monsoon on Friday, providing residents much-needed relief from the scorching summer. India Meteorological Department`s senior scientist Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said that the monsoon will further advance into Odisha in the next three days.

Within the next 72 hours, the entire state is also predicted to experience rainfall and districts like Boudh, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kalahandi and Kandhamal would also experience rain. Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre reportedly said the monsoon has entered Odisha and has covered 16 districts - all 11 coastal districts and five interior districts - on Friday and the remaining districts would be covered in the next 48 hours to 72 hours.